The Sound of Silence

The Washington Post wonders why more liberal bloggers aren't writing about Israel and Lebanon.

The article has a fairly comprehensive compilation of lefty bloggers and outsider speculation about why the conflict isn't getting more attention. Some highlights:

"David Adesnik at Oxblog declares:

'Clearly, something else besides complexity is preventing liberal bloggers from writing about Israel. I would suggest that there is a part of the online left which is so viciously anti-Israel that moderates have been intimidated into silence. Let's hope that this kind of viciousness never migrates off line, where it might threaten bipartisan support for Israel.'

Andrew Sullivan is dismissive:

'Are lefties unable to grapple with complex regional wars? Nah. They're just wimping out.'

One liberal voice, The Nation, isn't pulling any punches:

'It makes no sense for Israel to destroy the civil infrastructure of the Palestinians and of Lebanon in response to the kidnapping of its soldiers, or to further weaken the capacity of the governments of Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority while at the same trying to hold them accountable for the actions of groups and militias they cannot reasonably control. This collective punishment of the Palestinian and Lebanese people is not only inhumane and should be condemned but also leads to more radicalization and to more chaos.'"

A quick review of left-leaning Idaho blogs reveals...nothing. They're simply not posting about it. Red State Rebels. F-words. Eye on Boise. Liberal Idaho.

girlfriday is not primarily a political blog and when we do enter the fray, we're roundly chastised by Brett or (rightly) overshadowed by our betters. I am in watch and pray mode.

If you know why liberals aren't blogging about the conflict, I'd like to know.

UPDATE: 43rd State Blues has posted about it. The fact that Israel currently has unilateral support from the most pro Israel, pro unilateralist, pro interventionist Administration in history doesn't hurt. Nice.